Dear Parishioners, 

After a long Lenten season we can finally shout “Alleluia! He is risen!” Lent, much like Advent, is a season of patience and waiting, but the wonderful thing is, our season of Easter celebration is actually longer than our season of Lenten anticipation, and it culminates with the birthday of our Church on Pentecost.  

We have 50 days to celebrate Jesus’ triumph over death! The Easter Octave days, starting with Easter Sunday and ending with Divine Mercy Sunday are Solemnities in the liturgical year, our highest feast days. Octave days are treated like Sundays: at Mass we sing the Gloria and proclaim the double-Alleluia every day of the Octave. If you can’t make it to Mass between Sundays, consider saying the Glorious mysteries of the Rosary which are said every day of the Easter Octave. 

Easter Season ends on Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. It often seems like we lose steam after all the Easter preparations, and Pentecost quietly rolls by as we approach summer. Other than attending Mass, how do you celebrate the Church’s birthday? There are countless ways to celebrate as a community and within your family. A good start is sharing your own Confirmation story with a loved one.

Our culture seems to forget about Easter once the day is over. But as Catholics, we do not move on from Easter so quickly. The Gospel Acclamation during the Easter Octave reminds us that we are not done celebrating His Resurrection yet!  “This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” …for the next 50 days!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Easter season!

Yours In Christ,

Fr. Tom Lam

Pastor